With the smooth harmonies of jazz filling the air, Kirkwood’s vocal jazz ensembles, Jazz Transit and Jazz Express, brought their signature blend of energy and artistry to the stage at Ballantyne Auditorium on Feb. 28. The annual event also included high school and professional performers.
“I love this festival because there are so many different learning opportunities, so it is great to show off the Kirkwood facilities and people to these high school groups,” said Fred Kiser, Kirkwood choral director. “For example, it’s a wonderful opportunity for the high school groups to sing for nationally known educators who are also performers.
“I think it’s great for our students, my students, to learn how to run a festival. There’s a lot of different learning opportunities and a lot of engagement and group building and community building and I think it’s great.”
Kiser stated there were exciting moments during the evening concert. “There were just so many great little moments within the concert, with my groups and then the clinicians, and then I think Blake (Shaw) was just outstanding as a key performer,” he said.
The students started practicing their music at the beginning of the semester, so they only had about a month to prepare for the concert. Students put their focus on two pieces that Kiser said they would have the ability to perform well within the timeframe as well as pieces he thought the audience would enjoy.
Students who attended the concert had positive reactions. “I loved that everyone was super talented and it was super fun to just sit in my seat and have a good time,” said Lyova Merkle, music.
“I thought it was absolutely amazing. It was very engaging and I thought all the artists did absolutely incredible and I would come to this event 1,000 times it was amazing. I loved it,” added Maya Lapan-Islas, theater.
Several students said Shaw’s performance was their favorite part. “The Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band was my favorite and they sang ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ which is my favorite song by The Beatles that they played,” said Piper Even, music.
“My favorite thing about the event was when the Big(ish) Band played a cover of ‘Barbie Girl,’” said Al Mahmoud, STEM.
The hope of what the audience took away from the event as Kiser expressed, is how hard the performers worked, that people do this for a living, and most importantly, that Jazz is fun.
Categories: Feature
